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Sunday, December 11, 2016

"The Laughter of Dead Kings" by Elizabeth Peters

The Laughter of Dead Kings

by Elizabeth Peters

HarperCollins, 2008

Notes by Travis Simpkins

When the mummy of King Tutankhamun is stolen from his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the pressure is on to find out who the culprits are that absconded with the priceless artifact… and to see to it's safe return. This is the basic mystery/suspense plot that Elizabeth Peters pens in The Laughter of Dead Kings as she returns with her perennial character, Vicky Bliss.

In the early chapters, I found it very hard to sympathize with the interests of the two main characters, Vicky Bliss and John Tregarth. Both are very snide, whiny, rude, contemptuous and spoiled figures with little regard for anything beyond their own narrow-minded personal wants. However, the supporting characters are well-rounded and really propel the story forward. The overall premise of the book, with intriguing insights into the world of international art theft and cultural looting, keeps the momentum going as well... and the finale is simply riveting.

To offer any further details would be a disservice to the text, rightfully conceived as a work of good-natured fiction.

Suffice to say, with fascinating locales like the Ancient Egyptian temples at Luxor and Karnak providing the backdrop, the action and suspense plays out in well-written and picturesque form. Character flaws aside, I did really enjoy the book. Perhaps the knowledge gained through the story's conclusion with better help my understanding of Bliss and Tregarth upon a second reading.

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Cornwall

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: National Museum in Munich

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Valley of the Kings

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Valley of the Kings

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Tomb of King Tutankhamun

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Mummy of King Tut

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Tomb of King Tut

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Mummy of King Tut

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Mummy of King Tutankhamun

The Laughter of Dead Kings. Elizabeth Peters: Mummy of King Tutankhamun